The Russian Navy’s nuclear submarine Perm, specifically the fifth unit of the Yasen-M class, is expected to soon complete its trials and evaluations, as confirmed by the service’s Commander-in-Chief. This development is part of the Russian Navy’s modernization plans and the expansion of its fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines.
According to Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, “this year the trials of the next Yasen-M class nuclear cruise missile submarine, the Perm, will be completed, and it will join the submarine force of the Pacific Fleet,” he stated in remarks to the outlet Krasnaya Zvezda. The officer also highlighted that current and future programs предусматривают the serial construction of these units, as well as their progressive modernization through the integration of advanced weapons and systems.
The Perm, corresponding to Project 885M (Yasen-M), was laid down on July 29, 2016, at the Sevmash shipyard and launched on March 27, 2025. Designed by the Malakhit Marine Engineering Bureau, part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), it stands as the fifth unit in this line of multipurpose nuclear submarines.
The Yasen-M class belongs to the fourth generation of nuclear-powered submarines and is characterized by a reduced acoustic signature, enhancing its ability to operate covertly. These platforms are equipped with long-range, high-precision missiles capable of striking land, surface, and underwater targets.
In technological terms, Project 885M submarines incorporate advanced developments in weapons systems, naval equipment, electronics, and propulsion. The Yasen-M program includes updated technical solutions in structural components, materials, and systems, most of them produced by the Russian defense industry, reinforcing the country’s technological autonomy in this strategic segment.
In parallel, the Russian Navy projects that all its multipurpose nuclear submarines will be replaced over the next decade by units from Projects 885 and 885M. As Admiral Moiseyev explained, these new submarines will replace third-generation platforms currently in service, including Projects 971, 945, and 949, consolidating a transition toward more modern capabilities.
The naval commander emphasized that Yasen-class submarines feature advanced search, strike, and defense capabilities, and are equipped with modern weaponry such as Kalibr, Oniks, and Tsirkon missiles, in addition to underwater weapon systems. “They can operate covertly and for extended periods in virtually any ocean area, representing a significant threat to naval groups and land targets,” he stated.
As a recent precedent, in December 2024 the Russian Navy commissioned the nuclear submarine K-564 Arkhangelsk, the fourth unit of Project 885M, also built by Sevmash. These units are distributed between the Northern Fleet and the Pacific Fleet, including submarines such as Kazan, Novosibirsk, and Krasnoyarsk, consolidating the operational presence of this class.
In line with this expansion, in July 2025 President Vladimir Putin announced the construction of two additional Yasen-M submarines, adding to those already under production. This decision is part of a broader naval modernization process, also reflected in the incorporation of new strategic units such as the Borei-A class submarines.
Finally, the development of the Yasen-M program coincides with the 120th anniversary of Russia’s submarine forces, established in 1906 by decree of Tsar Nicholas II. This historical context reinforces the continuity of a naval policy aimed at strengthening submarine capabilities as a central component of the country’s military strategy.
*Images for illustrative purposes.
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